Widening access to higher education

It is indeed desirable to see an increase in the number of students from state schools and low-income families entering higher education (Tuition fees blamed as number of students from poor families drops, July 20). The small percentage fall in these areas over 2004-05, however, should not distract from the fact that the numbers for state school and low-income entrants have increased sharply over recent years. Since 2004-05, when these figures were collated, UK universities have continued to introduce a wide range of successful initiatives to encourage more applications from candidates with no family experience of higher education.

These initiatives - which include a variety of outreach projects - are making a difference, and we should see the benefits in years to come. If we are to continue to widen access, it's also vital that we increase the staying-on rates beyond compulsory schooling. In the UK the participation rate of 17-year-olds in education is one of the lowest of any OECD country. Evidence suggests that it's the students from lower socio- economic backgrounds who are leaving education earlier, which is why universities are making enormous efforts to ensure their considerable bursary schemes are well-targeted and well-understood.

Under the new fee regime, universities are offering more than £350m in bursaries to support these students. The bursaries, together with the enhanced student support measures such as the re-introduction of non-repayable grants, should provide further incentives to encourage more young people to enter higher education.Diana Warwick Chief executive, Universities UK

Disappointment at the failure to deepen participation in higher education should not disguise that fact that modern universities once again lead the field in offering opportunities to first-generation students.

While the jury is out on the long-term implications of the new tuition fee regime in England, supporting students to achieve their potential cannot be done on the cheap. In England alone there is a £100m per annum gap between the cost to universities and the funding received for current levels of participation of students from under-represented groups. The government must ensure that universities receive the full economic cost of widening participation if both participation and retention rates are to be improved.Pam Tatlow Chief executive, CMU Universities

Your report refers to Bill Rammell as saying that students will be charged a £3,000 tuition fee after graduation. The truth is that students will be charged £3,000 per year - with interest - so upon graduation their fee debt alone after three years will be approximately £9,500.Alan Isaacson Rotherham, South Yorkshire